PUTRAJAYA, 11 June 2009: Although United States President Barack Obama is keen on forging closer relations with the Islamic world, what is important now is to take concrete actions to realise the plan, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“I think his speech was good, but it is important to back it with concrete measures. Malaysia is prepared to cooperate with the US to achieve this,” he said.
Najib was asked to comment on Obama’s speech to the Muslim world on 4 June in Cairo, where he called for a new beginning of US-Muslim relations.
Obama had said the US would not be at war with Muslim countries, while the rights of the Palestinians would not be sidelined.
The US president also praised Malaysia as a model Muslim country which could develop in a peaceful manner.
“I have followed and read the speech which signals a new desire of the US to mend the rift between the Muslim world and the West,” Najib told reporters after the 2010 Budget consultative meeting at the Ministry of Finance here today. — Bernama
